Nicaragua Trip Eye-opener For Bethlehem Native

A Bethlehem native, after returning last week from a five-week visitto Nicaragua, said the United States cannot view that Central American country in black and white terms.

Kathryn Parlin, 27, a graduate student in engineering at the University of Vermont, said her interest in Nicaragua is a hobby. She said she is well versed on the country's current events and attends lectures given by people who have been there.

Trying to pull all of this together, she jumped at the opportunity to make the trip herself June 22 through July 26 with Casa Nicaraguense De Espanol, a New York school of Spanish language and culture.

"I went down there with this idea that I was going to get a clear view," she said. "I found out there isn't any single view; there isn't any right answer."

Despite not finding a clear-cut solution, she said she was not disappointed. Parlin said she received varying viewpoints and added many will not have a chance to be implemented until fighting is brought to an end in Central America.

"It was a shot of realism," she said, noting that many Americans

"One thing that is clear to me is that we have no right to interfere with the workings of their government," she said, confident Nicaragua can work out its own problems and should have the right to try. She said she feels that's a key to understanding the Nicaraguan people.

Although they may have contrary political ideas within their own society, a common thread among the people is a desire to preserve their country. Nicaraguans seek independence and despise foreign intervention, she contends.

Marring the July 19 anniversary of when the revolutionaries took control of Managua in 1979 was fear of U.S. invasion and concern the contras would disrupt the anniversary observance with terrorist attacks, she said.

Still, the observance was a "political rally" like she'd never seen, she said. Government estimates ranged from 200,000 to 500,000 people, she said. She added she had never seen so many people rallying for a government.

Referring to government officials as "people of integrity," she said she believes they are looking to hear the concerns of the people and have a desire to improve living conditions.

"I think that if the war came to an end, we might see some real exciting things happen," she said. She added more of an effort could be put toward the betterment of society instead of day-to-day protection.

Noting that the war has depleted a lot of the country's funds, she said shortages in items such as paper, batteries and in electrical devices such as watches and calculators have caused some major concerns.

"There is a general feeling that the embargo has contributed to a lot of their shortages," she said, referring to the trade embaro against Nicaragua imposed by President Reagan.

She formed her opinions by using several forums, ranging from talking to public officials to residents on the streets.

She said she felt fortunate to sit in on several discussions given by officials from the Conservative Democratic Party, the National Union of Farmers and Ranchers, the urban planning department, the human rights commission, the national assembly and the Ministry of Exterior (similar to the U.S. State Department). She said that opportunity was probably special because the government has a trust in the New York travel group.

Information seemed sincere, and settings of most areas toured seemed natural, she said, although there were a few settings, such as a farm for well-behaved prisoners, where she was uncertain if those she spoke with were able to speak freely.

Other viewpoints came from residents both in favor and opposition to the Sandinista government. She said these people seemed sincere.

Despite her impromptu interviews away from possible government censorship or scrutiny, Parlin still felt there was an element of hard facts missing from her information. Although many would spew generalities to support a view, few would cite specific instances or personal accounts as examples. Lacking specifics made her uncertain of some of the information, she said.

She gave an example of a man she spoke with, who, when pressed for some specifics, said he could not give her any for fear the government would cut back his food rations. When she asked how the government would find out that he spoke with her or if other citizens have had their rations cut under similar circumstances, she said the man couldn't provide her with a solid answer.

Meanwhile, she said visits by Americans who spread the word of their observations are paramount. Parlin said she found many ideas about the country coming from U.S. government and media sources to be misconceptions following her trip.

She said Reagan has been inaccurate in referring to the Nicaraguans as Communists. She said they are mixed politically.